Brussels, 11/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - The new European framework for cooperation in the area of youth must set more precise and more targeted objectives. It is not enough to define a theoretically effective policy; this effectiveness has to be tested on the ground, by bringing in teams of experts, working closely with youth organisations. Youth policy has to be cross-cutting, must take account of other policies on what is in the interests of young people and must be adapted to the current situation. The greatest care must be brought to cooperation between member states, which each must look to the others for ideas on how to develop an effective policy that takes account of national differences.
The Education, Youth and Culture Council meeting on Monday 11 May was chaired by new Czech Education, Youth and Sports Minister Miroslava Kopicová, and was devoted to youth policy. It sketched the outlines of a new framework for cooperation in youth matters that takes account of the challenges faced by today's youth and adopted conclusions on the issue. Ministers all agreed that the European Youth Pact had to be adapted to the revised Lisbon Strategy objectives. they appreciated the advantages of the open method of communication (OMC), an inter-governmental method set up by the European Commission as part of the Lisbon Strategy (2000) which provides a new framework for cooperation between member states, whose national policies may thus by channelled towards common objectives. All were in agreement, too, that the current framework had brought greater visibility to youth policy, provided the basis of excellent cooperation between member states, facilitated the exchange of best practice and highlighted the expectations and specific needs of young people, for example in tackling unemployment, the social integration of the most disadvantaged and finding a good work-life balance. Today, however, the mechanisms are not the same as they were 10 years ago, and new concepts have to be found to give consideration to the ways that will allow more young people to become involved in the policies that affect them, in particular disadvantaged young people and those who are not involved in youth networks, ministers agreed. The new youth policy has to be cross-sectoral, comprehensive and has to better define the long- and also short-term objectives. “We have gained greater credibility recently, with the adoption of national reforms, but we have to progress still further. There was agreement that we had to simplify things, improve visibility and the instruments used,” summarised Education, Youth and Culture Commissioner Jan Figel. Several member states also spoke of their concern over young people's lack of interest in politics, whether national or European. To encourage them to become more involved, the work carried out by workers on the ground, especially with young people at risk, was highlighted. The work done by these players at regional and local level must be taken into account, said Austria. The United Kingdom wanted more responsibility to be given to local authorities. Germany suggested better use should be made of what has been achieved on the ground and we should better learn from one another. “We have to continue to cooperate, to make cooperation more effective; we need data based on concrete results, we have to think about youth employment and their employability,” the Czech minister said after the debate. “We agree that we should pursue a sectoral approach … and we have to come to a quality structured dialogue,” she went on. Figel welcomed the “open” debate among member states. “We have to come to stronger and more permanent structured dialogue with young people,” he said.
The new European framework for cooperation will be considered during the Swedish Presidency, and an agreement will be reached on this issue at the next meeting of the Education, Youth and Culture Council, working from the Commission communication, An EU Strategy for Youth - Investing and Empowering. (I.L./transl.rt)